Employment Contracts

Litigation: Unintended consequence of regulation

07/22/2016

Sometimes, government regulation can unexpectedly lead to litigation.

8th Circuit splits on NLRB authority on arbitration agreements banning class-actions

07/22/2016

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Minnesota employers, has come out against the NLRB’s interpretation on arbitration agreements.

DOL cites Houston contractor for misclassification

07/06/2016

The DOL has recovered back wages for workers that a Houston masonry firm wrongly classified as independent contractors.

Simple list of customers doesn’t count as trade secret

06/22/2016

Under California law, not every work product amounts to a trade secret. For example, an ordinary customer list with information generally available through open sources isn’t subject to protection.

Arbitration agreement may not be bulletproof

06/22/2016

Bad news for employers that hope arbitration agreements might limit the cost and time required to resolve employment disputes.

Opening salvo fired in big ‘joint employer’ lawsuit against NLRB

06/20/2016

The National Labor Relations Board’s new joint employer standard violates the National Labor Relations Act, according to opening briefs filed by Browning-Ferris Industries in a closely watched lawsuit that seeks to overturn a major NLRB decision.

Commerce Department report tries to define ‘sharing economy’

06/15/2016

For several years, we have somewhat vaguely referred to the “sharing economy” when discussing such enterprises as the Uber and Lyft ride-hailing services, online errand-running brokerage TaskRabbit and ad hoc hospitality matchmaker Airbnb.

Harrisburg union official sentenced for wire fraud

06/03/2016

The former president of a Pennsylvania state employees union has been sentenced to house arrest and probation after pleading guilty to federal fraud charges.

Pharma scientists indicted for stealing trade secrets

06/03/2016

Two GlaxoSmithKline scientists, one from Pennsylvania, are among five people charged with stealing trade secrets related to an anti-cancer drug the pharmaceutical giant is developing.

Doubtful accommodations? Let employee try anyway

05/31/2016

Refusing to consider an ADA accommodation can spell big legal trouble. Give disabled workers a chance to prove they can do the job.